Chapter XXVIII: Prologue: 1 1 (11)

[Sidenote: Don’t laugh too much.]

If occasion of laughter
at the table thou se, 504
Beware that thou vse
the same moderately.

[Sidenote: [sign. B. vi.]]

[Sidenote: Learn all the good manners you can.]

Of good maners learne
So muche as thou can; 508
It wyll thee preferre
when thou art a man.

[Sidenote: Aristot.]

Aristotle the Philosopher
this worthy sayinge writ, 512

[Sidenote: They are better than playing the fiddle, though that’s
no harm, but necessary; yet manners are more important.]

That “maners in a chylde
are more requisit
then playnge on instrumentes
and other vayne pleasure; 516
For vertuous maners
Is a most precious treasure.”
Let not this saynge
In no wyse thee offende, 520
For playnge of instrumentes
He doth not discommende,
But doth graunt them
for a chylde necessary, 524
Yet maners muche more
see here he doth vary.
Refuse not his councell,
Nor his wordes dispise; 528

[Sidenote: [sign. B. vi.b.]]

To vertue and knowledge
By them mayste thou ryse.

[Sidenote: _How to behave at Church._]

¶ Howe to order thy selfe in the Churche.

Cap. .v.

++Vvhen to the Churche
thou shalt repayer, 532

[Sidenote: Pray kneeling or standing.]

Knelynge or standynge,
to God make thy prayer;
All worldely matters
From thy mynde set apart, 536
Earnestly prayinge,
to God lyfte vp thy hart.

[Sidenote: Psal. 1.]

A contrite harte
He wyll not dispyse, 540
whiche he doth coumpt
A sweete sacrifice.

[Sidenote: Confess your sins to God.]

To hym thy sinnes
shewe and confesse, 544
Askynge for them
Grace and forgyuenes;

[Sidenote: [sign. B. vii.]]

[Sidenote: He knows your disease.]

He is the Phisition
that knoweth thy sore, 548
And can to health
A-gayne thee restore.

[Sidenote: Iames the .i.]

[Sidenote: Ask in faith, and what you ask you shall have; He is
more merciful than pen can tell.]

Aske then in fayth,
Not doubtynge to haue; 552
The thynges ye desyre
ye shall then receaue;
So they be lawfull
Of God to requyre, 556
He wyll the heare
and graunt thy desyre;
More mercifull he is
then pen can expresse, 560
The aucthor and geuer
here of all goodnesse.

[Sidenote: Math. x.]

“All ye that laboure
and burdened be, 564
I wyll you refreshe
In commynge to me.”
These are Chrystes wordes,
the scripture is playne, 568

[Sidenote: [sign. B. vii.b.]]

Spoken to all suche
as here suffre payne;
Our wylles to his worde
then let vs frame, 572
The heauenly habytacion
therby we may clame.

[Sidenote: Behave nicely in church, and don’t talk or chatter.]

In the churche comly
thy selfe do behaue, 576
In vsage sober,
thy countinaunce graue.
whyle you be there,
taulke of no matter, 580
Nor one with an other
whisper nor chatter.

[Sidenote: Behave reverently; the House of Prayer is not to be
made a fair.]

Reuerently thy selfe
Order alwaye 584
when to the Churche
thou shalt come to pray:
Eche thynge hath his tyme,
Consyder the place, 588

[Sidenote: Luke .xix.]

For that is a token
of vertue and grace,

[Sidenote: [sign. B viii.]]

The Lorde doth call it
the house of prayer 592
And not to be vsed
As is a fayer.

[Headnote: AGAINST GAMING, AND FOR VIRTUE.]

¶ The fruites of gamynge, vertue and learnynge.
Capitulo .vi.

[Sidenote: Avoid dicing and carding.]

++O Lytle chylde,
Eschewe thou euer game,-- 596
For that hath brought
Many one to shame,--
As dysynge, and cardynge,
And suche other playes, 600
which many vndoeth,
as we se nowe a dayes.

[Sidenote: Cicero.]

But yf thou delyght
In any earthly thynge, 604

[Sidenote: Delight in Knowledge, Virtue, and Learning.]

Delyght in knowledge,
Vertue, and learnynge,
For learnynge wyll leade thee
to the schoole of vertue, 608

[Sidenote: [sign. B. viii.b.]]

And vertue wyll teache thee
Vice to subdue.
Vice beynge subdued,
thou canst not but floryshe; 612

[Sidenote: Happy is he who cultivates Virtue.]

Happy is the man
that vertue doth norysh.
By knowledge lykewyse
thou shalt doubtes discerne, 616
By vertue agayne
thy lyfe well gouerne.
These be the frutes
By them we do take, 620

[Sidenote: Cursed is he who forsakes it.]

Cursed is he then
that doth them forsake.
But we erre in wyt
In folowynge our wyll, 624
In iudgynge that good
which playnly is yll.

[Sidenote: Let reason rule you, and subdue your lusts.]

Let reason thee rule,
and not will thee leade 628
To folowe thy fansie,
A wronge trace to treade.
[Sidenote: [sign. C. i.]]

But subdue thy luste,
and conqeur thy wyll 632
If it shall moue thee
to doe that is yll;

[Sidenote: These ills come from gambling: strife, murder, theft,
cursing and swearing.]

For what hurte by game
to many doth growe, 636
No wyse man I thynke
but doth it well knowe.
Experience doth shewe
and make it manifeste 640
That all good men
can it but deteste,
As strife and debate,
murder and thefte, 644
whiche amonge christians,
wolde god were lefte,
with cursynge and bannynge,
with swearyng and tearyng, 648
That no honest harte
can abyde the hearyng:
These be the fruites
that of them doth sprynge, 652

[Sidenote: [sign. C. i.b.]]

with many more as euill
that cometh of gamynge.

[Sidenote: _How to behave when conversing._]

¶ How to behaue thy selfe in taulkynge with any man. Capitulo .vii.

++If a man demaunde
a question of thee, 656

[Sidenote: Isocra.]

In thine aunswere makynge
be not to hastie;

[Sidenote: Understand a question before you answer it; let a man
tell all his tale.]

waie well his wordes,
the case vnderstande 660
Eare an answere to make
thou take in hande,
Els may he iudge
in thee little wit, 664
To answere to a thynge
and not heare it.
Suffer his tale
whole out to be toulde, 668
Then speake thou mayst,
and not be controulde;

[Sidenote: Then bow to him, look him in the face, and answer
sensibly, not staring about or laughing, but audibly and
distinctly, your words in due order, or you’ll straggle off,
or stutter, or stammer, which is a foul crime.]

[Sidenote: [sign. C. ii.]]

Low obeisaunce makyng,
lokinge him in the face, 672
Tretably speaking,
thy wordes see thou place.
with countinaunce sober
thy bodie vprighte 676
Thy fete iuste to-gether,
thy handes in lyke plight;
Caste not thyne eies
on neither syde. 680
when thou arte praised,
therin take no pryde.
In tellynge thy tale,
neither laugh nor smyle, 684
Such folly forsake thou,
banish and exyle;
In audible voice
thy wordes do thou vtter, 688
Not hie nor lowe,
but vsynge a measure.

Thy wordes se that
thou pronounce plaine, 692

[Headnote: HOW TO CARRY A MESSAGE.]

[Text note: [C _orig._ thai]]

[Sidenote: [sign. C. ii.b.]]

And that [C] they spoken
Be not in vayne;
In vttryng wherof
Kepe thou an order, 696
Thy matter therby
thou shalte much forder;
whiche order yf thou
Do not obserue, 700
From the purpose
nedes must thou swarue.
And hastines of speche
wyll cause thee to erre, 704
Or wyll thee teache
to stut or stammer.
To stut or stammer
is a foule crime, 708
Learne then to leaue it,
take warnyng in tyme;
How euyll a chylde
it doth become, 712
Thy selfe beynge iudge,
hauinge wisedome;

[Sidenote: [sign. C. iii.]]

And sure it is taken
by custome and vre, 716
whyle yonge you be
there is helpe and cure.
This generall rule
yet take with the, 720

[Sidenote: Always keep your head uncovered.]

In speakynge to any man
Thy head vn-couered be.
The common prouerbe
remember ye oughte, 724

[Sidenote: Better unfed than untaught.]

“Better vnfedde
then vn-taughte.”

[Sidenote: _How to take a Message._]

¶ How to order thy selfe being sente of message.
Cap. viii.

++If of message
forthe thou be sente, 728

[Sidenote: Listen to it well; don’t go away not knowing it.]

Take hede to the same,
Geue eare diligente;
Depart not awaye
and beyng in doute, 732

[Sidenote: [sign. C. iii.b.]]

Know wel thy message
before thou passe out;

[Sidenote: Then hurry away, give the message; get the answer,
return home, and tell it to your master exactly as it was told
to you.]

with possible spede
then hast thee right sone; 736
If nede shall requirr it
so to be done.
After humble obeisaunce,
the message forth shewe 740
Thy wordes well placinge
in vttringe but fewe
As shall thy matter
serue to declare. 744
Thine answere made,
then home againe repare,
And to thy master
therof make relacion 748
As then the answere
shall geue thee occasion.

[Sidenote: Socra.]

Neither adde nor deminish
any thynge to the same, 752
Lest after it proue
to thy rebuke and shame,

[Sidenote: [sign. C. iiii.]]

But the same vtter
so nere as thou can; 756
No faulte they shall fynde
to charge thee with than,
In most humble wyse
loke done that it be, 760
As shall become beste
a seruantes degre.

[Sidenote: _Against Anger, &c._]

¶ A-gainste Anger, Enuie, and malice.

Cap. ix.

[Sidenote: The slave of Anger must fall.]

++If thou be subiecte
and to anger thrall, 764
And reason thee rule not,
nedes must thou fall.

[Sidenote: Pericles.]

Conquer thy wyll
and subdue thy luste, 768
Thy fansy not folowing,
thy cause though be iuste;

[Sidenote: Anger’s deeds are strange to wise men.]

For anger and furie
wyll thee so chaunge 772

[Sidenote: [sign. C. iiii.b.]]

That thy doynges to wise men
wyll appear straunge.
Thine anger and wrath
seke then to appeace, 776

[Sidenote: Plato.]

For wrath, saith Plato,
Leades shame in a leace.

[Sidenote: Isocra.]

The hastie man
wantes neuer trouble, 780

[Sidenote: A hasty man is always in trouble.]

His mad moody mynde
his care doth double.
And malyce thee moue
to reuenge thy cause, 784
Dread euer god,
and daunger of the lawes.

[Sidenote: Take no revenge, but forgive.]

Do not reuenge,
though in thy power it be, 788
Forgeue the offender
being thine enemie.
He is perfectely pacient,
we may repute plaine, 792

[Sidenote: Plato.]

[That] From wrath and furye
himselfe can refrayne.

[Sidenote: Envy no one.]

[Sidenote: [sign. C. v.]]

Disdayne nor enuie
The state of thy brother, 796

[Sidenote: Seneca.]

In worde nor dede
not hurtyng one an other.

[Sidenote: An ill body breeds debate.]

Debate and disceate,
contencion and enuie, 800
Are the chiefe frutes
of an euyll bodie.

[Sidenote: Salomon.]

And Salomon saithe
“The harte full of enuie, 804
Of him selfe hath
no pleasure nor commoditie.”

[Sidenote: _The Fruits of Charity, &c._]

¶ The fruites of charitie, loue, and pacience.

Cap. x.

[Sidenote: Charity seeketh not her own, but bears patiently.]

++Charitie seketh not
that to her doth belonge, 808
But paciently a-bydinge,
sustainynge rather wronge;

[Sidenote: Charity seeketh not her own, but bears patiently.]

Not enuiynge, but bearinge
with loue and pacience,-- 812

[Sidenote: [sign. C. v.b.]]

So noble is her nature,--
forgeuing all ofence.

[Sidenote: Love incites to Mercy.]

And loue doth moue
the mynde to mercie, 816
But malice againe
doth worke the contrarie.
whiche in the wicked
wyll euer beare stroke, 820

[Sidenote: Patience teaches forbearance.]

Pacience thee teacheth
therof to beare the yoke.
where pacience and loue
to-gether do dwell 824
All hate and debate,
with malice, they expell.

[Sidenote: Pithagoras.]

Loue constant and faithfull,
Pithagoras doth call 828
To be a vertue
most principall.

[Sidenote: Plato.]

Plato doth speake
almoste in effecte 832
‘where loue is not,
no vertue is perfecte.’

[Sidenote: [sign. C. vi.]]

[Sidenote: Pray God to give thee Charity and Patience, to lead
thee to Virtue’s School, and thence to Eternal Bliss.]

Desire then god
to assiste thee with his grace 836
Charitie to vse
and pacience to imbrace;
These three folowinge
will thee instructe, 840
That to vertues schoole
they wyll thee conducte,
And from vertues schoole
to eternall blisse 844
where incessaunt ioie
continually is.

[Headnote: AGAINST SWEARING.]

[Sidenote: _Against Swearing._]

¶ A-gainge (_so_) the horrible vice of swearynge.

Cap. xi.

[Sidenote: Take not God’s name in vain, or He will plague thee.]

++In vaine take not
the name of god; 848
Swere not at all
for feare of his rod.
The house with plagues
he threteneth to visit 852

[Sidenote: [sign. C. vi.b.]]

where othes are vsed:
they shall not escape it.
Iuste are his iudgementes,
and true is his worde, 856
And sharper then is
a two edged sworde;

[Sidenote: Beware of His wrath, and live well in thy vocation.]

wherfore beware thou
his heauy indignacion, 860
And learne to lyue well
in thy vocacion
wherin that god
shall thee set or call; 864
Rysinge againe--
if it fortune to fall--
By prayer and repentance,
whiche is the onely waie. 868
Christ wolde not the death
of a sinner, I saye,
But rather he turne
From his wickednesse, 872
And so to lyue
in vertue and goodnesse.

[Sidenote: [sign. C. vii.]]

[Sidenote: What is the good of swearing?]

what better art thou
for this thy swearyng 876
Blasfamouslye,
the name of god tearyng?

[Sidenote: It kindles God’s wrath against thee.]

Prouokynge his yre
and kyndlinge his wrath 880
Thee for to plauge,
that geuinge the hath
Knowlage and reason
thy selfe for to rule, 884
And for to flee
the thynge that is euyl.

[Sidenote: Seneca.]

Senica doth councell thee
all swerynge to refrayne, 888
Although great profite
by it thou mighte gaine:

[Sidenote: Pericles.]

Pericles, whose wordes
are manifeste and playne, 892
From sweryng admonisheth
thee to obstaine;

[Sidenote: God’s law forbids swearing, and so does the counsel
of Philosophers.]

The lawe of god,
and commaundement he gaue, 896

[Sidenote: [sign. C. vii.b.]
Swearynge amongst vs
in no wyse wolde haue.
The councell of philosoph[ers]
I haue here expreste, 900
Amongest whom sweryng
was vtterly deteste;
Much lesse amongest christians
ought it to be vsed, 904
But vtterly of them
cleane to be refused.

[Sidenote: _Against filthy talking._]

¶ A-gainste the vice of filthy talkynge.
Cap. xii.

[Sidenote: Never talk dirt.]

++No filthy taulke
in no wise vse, 908
Thy tonge therby
for to abuse.

[Sidenote: For every word we shall give account at the Day of
Doom, and be judged according to our deeds.]

Of euery idell worde
an accumpte we shall render;-- 912
All men I woulde
this sayinge to remember;--

[Sidenote: [sign. C. viii.]]

To god for it
at the generall daie 916
In earnest or sporte
we shall speake or saie;
whiche daye to the iuste
shallbe most ioyfull, 920
And to the wicked
againe as wofull.
As we here doe,
so shall we receaue, 924
Vnles we repente
and mercy of god craue.
If god wyll deale
with vs so straight 928
For thinges that be
of so small waight,

[Sidenote: Let lewd livers then fear.]

Then haue we cause
to feare and dreade, 932
Our lyues lewdly
if we haue leade.

[Sidenote: Keep your tongue from vain talking.]

[Sidenote: [sign. C. viii.b.]]

Thy tonge take hede
thou doe refrayne 936
From speakyng wordes
that are moste vayne;

[Sidenote: Aristot.]

Thy wyll and witte
to goodnes applie, 940
Thy mynde exercise
in vertuous studie.

[Headnote: AGAINST LYING.]

[Sidenote: _Against Lying._]

¶ A-gainste the vice of lyinge.
Capitulo .xiii.

[Sidenote: Plato.]

++To forge, to fayne,
to flater and lye, 944
Requiere diuers collours
with wordes fayre and slye,

[Sidenote: To speak the truth needs no study, therefore always
practise it and speak it.]

But the vtteraunce of truthe
is so simple and playne 948
That it nedeth no studie
to forge or to fayne;
wherfore saye truth,
how euer stand the case, 952
So shalte thou fynde
more fauour and grace.
Vse truthe, and say truth,
in that thou goest aboute, 956
For tyme of althinges
the truthe wyll bringe out.

[Sidenote: [sign. D. i.]]

[Sidenote: Shame is the reward of lying.]

Shame is the rewarde
For lying dewe; 960
Then auoyde shame,
and vtter wordes trewe.
A lyar by his lying
this profet doth get, 964
That whan he saith truth
no man wyll him credet;

[Sidenote: Always speak the truth.]

Then let thy talke
with the truth agree, 968
And blamed for it
thou shalte neuer bee.

[Sidenote: Who can trust a liar?]

Howe maie a man
a lyer ought truste? 972
But doubte his dedes,
his woordes being vniuste.
In tellyng of truth
there lougeth no shame, 976
Where vttring of lyes
deserueth much blame;

[Sidenote: If a lie saves you once, it deceives you thrice.]

And though a lye
from stripes ye once saue, 980

[Sidenote: [sign. D. i.b.]]

Thrise for that once
it wyll the desceue;
Truste then to truth,
and neither forge nor fayne, 984
And followe these preceptes:
from liyng do refraine.

[Headnote: A NIGHTLY PRAYER.]

[Sidenote: _A bedward Prayer._]

¶ A praier to be saide when thou goest to bedde.

[Sidenote: God of mercy, take us into Thy care.]

++O Mercifull god!
heare this our requeste, 988
And graunte vnto vs
this nighte quiet reste.
Into thy tuicion,
oh lorde, do vs take! 992
Our bodies slepynge,
our myndes yet maie wake.

[Sidenote: Forgive us our sins.]

Forgeue the offences
this daye we haue wroughte 996
A-gainste thee and our neighbour
in worde, dede, and thoughte!
And graunte vs thy grace
hense forth to flie sinne, 1000

[Sidenote: [sign. D. ii.]]

[Sidenote: Deliver us from evil, and our enemy the Devil.]

And that a newe lyfe
we maie nowe beginne!
Deliuer and defende vs
this night from all euell, 1004
And from the daunger
of our enemie, the diuell,
whiche goeth a-boute
sekyng his praie, 1008
And by his crafte
whom we maie betraie.

[Sidenote: Assist us to conquer him and ascribe all honour
to Thee.]

Assiste vs, oh lorde,
with thy holy sprite, 1012
That valiantly against him
we maie euer fighte;
And winning the victorie,
maie lifte vp our voice, 1016
And in his strength
faithfully reioice,
Saying, “to the lorde
be all honour and praise 1020
For his defence
bothe now and alwaies!”

[Transcriber’s Note:

In the following segment, the numbers 1, 2, 3... from the original text are used as sidenote markers. There are no footnotes.]

[Headnote: THE DUTY OF ALL DEGREES OF MEN.]

[Sidenote: [sign. D. ii.b.]]

[Sidenote: _Each one’s Duty._]

¶ the dutie of eche degred. (_so_) brefely declared.

[Sidenote: The Duty of [1] Princes, [2] Judges, [3] Prelates,
[4] Parents, [5] Children, [6] Masters, [7] Servants,
[8] Husbands.]

1 ++Ye princes, that the earth
rule and gouerne, 1024
Seke ye for knowledge
doubtes to discerne.
2 Ye iudges, geue iudgement
according to righte 1028
As may be founde
acceptable in the lordes sight.
3 Ye prelates, preache purely
the worde of our lorde, 1032
That your liuings & prechinges
in one maie accorde.
4 Ye fathers and mothers,
so your children instructe 1036
As maye them to grace
and uertue conducte.

[Sidenote: [sign. D. iii.]]

5 Ye chyldren, lykewyse
obey your pare{n}tes here; 1040
In all godlinesse
see that ye them feare.
6 Ye maisters, do you
the thynge that is righte 1044
Not lokynge what
ye may do by mighte.
7 Ye seruauntes, applie
your busines and arte, 1048
Doinge the same
in singlenesse of harte.
8 Ye husbandes, loue your wyues,
and with them dwell, 1052
All bitternesse set aparte,
vsing wordes gentell.

[Sidenote: The Duty of [9] Wives, [10] Parsons and Vicars,
[11] Men of Law, [12] Craftsmen, [13] Landlords, [14] Merchants,
[15] Subjects, [16] Rich Men, [17] Poor Men, [18] Magistrates,
[19] Officers,]

9 Ye wyues, to your husbandes
be obedient alwaie, 1056

[Sidenote: [sign. D. iii.b.]]

For they are your heades,
and ye bounde to obeie.
10 Ye persons and vickers
that haue cure and charge, 1060
Take hede to the same,
and roue not at large.
11 Ye men of lawe,
in no wyse delaie 1064
The cause of the poore,
but helpe what ye maie.
12 Ye that be craftes men,
vse no disceite, 1068
Geuing to all men
tale, measure, and weighte.
13 Ye that be landlordes
and haue housen to let, 1072
At reasonable rentes
do them forth set.

[Sidenote: [sign. D. iiii.]]

14 Ye merchauntes that vse
the trade of merchandise, 1076
Vse lawfull wares
and reasonable prise.
15 Ye subiectes, lyue ye
in obedience and awe, 1080
Fearyng gods stroke,
and daunger of the lawe.
16 Ye rych, whom god
hath goods vnto sente, 1084
Releue the poore
and helpe the indigente.
17 Ye that are poore,
with your state be contente, 1088
Not hauinge wherwith
to lyue competente.
18 Ye magestrates, the cause
of the widdow and fatherles 1092

[Sidenote: [sign. D. iiii.b.]]

Defende againste suche
as shall them opresse.
19 All ye that are called
to any other office, 1096
Execute the same
acordinge to iustice.

[Sidenote: The Duty of all Men.]

20 Let eche here so liue
in his vocacion, 1100
As maie his soule saue,
and profet his nacion.

[Sidenote: God grant us all to live and die well!]

21 This graunting god,
that sitteth on hie, 1104
we shall here well lyue
and after well die.

+Famam virtutis mors
Abolire nequit quod. F. S.+

¶ Imprinted at London in Paules
Churchyearde. By william
Seares.

* * * * *
* * * *

Whate-ever thow sey, avyse thee welle!

[_MS._ O. 9. 38. _Trinity College, Cambridge._]

Almyȝty godde, conserue vs fram care!
Where ys thys worle A-wey y-wente?

[Sidenote: A man must mind what he says; hearts are fickle
and fell.]

A man that schold speke, had nede to be ware,
ffor lytyl thyng he may be schente; 4
Tonggys beth y-turne to lyther entente;
Hertys, they beth bothe fykel and felle;
Man, be ware leste thow repente!
Whate eu{er} thow sey, A-vyse the welle! 8

[Sidenote: Take care what you say.]

A-vyse the, man, yn whate place and whare
A woord of conseyl thow doyst seyne;

[Sidenote: A false friend may hear it, and after a year or two
will repeat it.]

Sum man may ley ther-to hys ere;
Thow wenyst he be thy frend; he ys thy foo c{er}teyne; 12
P{er}aventor aftyr A ȝere or tweyne--
Thow trowyst as tru as eny stele,--
Thys woord yn wreth thow schalt hyre A-gayne!
Whate eu{er} thow sey, A-vyse the welle! 16

[Sidenote: Hasty speech hurts hearer and speaker.]

Meny man spekyth yn hastenys:
hyt hyndryth hym and eke hys frende;
hym were well{e} beter his tong{e} to sese
Than they both ther-for be schende. 20
Suche wordys beth not to be had yn meynde,
hyt makyȝt comforte w{i}t{h} care to kele:

[Sidenote: In the beginning, think on the end.]

Man, yn the begynnyng thenk on þe eynde!
Whate eu{er} thow sey, A-vyse the welle! 24

[Sidenote: You tell a man a secret, and he’ll betray it
for a drink of wine.]

To sum man thow mayste tel a pryuy tale:
Whan he fro the ys wente A-way,
ffor a drawȝt of wyne other ale
he woll{e} the wrey, by my fay, 28
And make hyt worse (hyt ys noo nay)
Than eu{er} hyt was, A thowsend dele.

[Sidenote: Mind what you say.]

Thys ys my song{e} both nyȝt & day,
Whate eu{er} thow sey, A-vyse the welle! 32

[Sidenote: Avoid backbiting and flattering; refrain from malice,
and bragging.]

Be ware of bagbytynge, y the rede;
ley flateryng{e} vndyr thy foote, loke;
Deme the beste of eu{er}y dede
Tyll{e} trowth haue serchyd truly þe roote; 36
Rrefrayne malyce cruell{e} & hoote;
Dyscretly and wysly speende thy spelle;
Boost ne brag{e} ys worth A Ioote;
Whate eu{er} thow sey, A-vyse the welle! 40

[Sidenote: A venomous tongue causes sorrow.]

Dysese, wharre, sorowe and debate,
ys caused ofte by venemys tong{e};

[Sidenote: When words are said, regret is too late.]

haddywyst cometh eu{er} to late
Whan lewyd woordis beth owte y-sprong{e}. 44
The kocke seyth wysly on his song{e}
‘hyre and see, and hold the stylle,’
And eu{er} kepe thys lesson A-mong{e},

[Sidenote: Mind what you say.]

Whate eu{er} thow sey, A-vyse the welle! 48

[Sidenote: Had men thought of this, many things done in England
would never have been begun.]

y dere well{e} swery by the sonne,
yf eu{er}y man had thys woord yn thowȝt
Meny thynggis had neu{er} be by-gunne
That ofte yn Ingelond hath be y-wroȝt. 52

[Sidenote: See _The Wise Man_, in _Babees Boke_, &c. p. 48.]

The wyse man hath hys sone y-tawȝtte
yn ryches, poorte, woo, and welle,
Thys worthy reson for-ȝete thow noȝt,
Whate eu{er} thow sey, A-vyse the welle! 56

[Sidenote: To speak aright observe six things: 1. what;
2. of whom; 3. where; 4. to whom; 5. why; 6. when.]

yf that thow wolte speke A-ryȝt,
Ssyx thynggys thow moste obserue then:
What thow spekyst, & of what wyȝt,
Whare, to wham, whye, and whenne. 60
Thow noost how soone thow schalt go henne;
As lome be meke, as serpent felle;

[Sidenote: In every place mind what you say.]

yn eu{er}y place, A-monge all{e} men,
Whate eu{er} thow sey, A-vyse the welle! 64

[Sidenote: Almighty God, grant me grace to serve Thee!]

“Almyȝty god yn personys thre,
W{i}t{h} herte mylde mekly y praye,
Graunte me grace thy seruant to be
Yn woorde and dede eu{er} and aye! 68

[Sidenote: Mary, mother, send me grace night and day!]

Mary, moder, blessyd maye,
Quene of hevyn, Imp{er}es of helle,
Sende me grace both nyȝt and daye!”
Whate eu{er} thow sey, A-vyse the welle! 72

EXPLICIT &c.

* * * * *
* * * *

A Dogg Lardyner, & a Sowe Gardyner.

[_MS._ O. 9. 38. _Trinity College, Cambridge._]

_Printed in _Reliquiæ Antiquæ, v. i. p. 233_,
from MS. Lansdowne No. 762, fol. 16 b._

[Sidenote: A dog in a larder, a sow in a garden, a fool with
wise men, are ill matcht.]

hoo so makyȝt at crystysmas A dogg{e} lardyner, And yn march A sowe gardyner, And yn may A foole of every wysmanys counsayll{e}, he schall{e} neu{er} haue goode larder, ne fayre gardyn, nother counsayll{e} well{e} y-keptt.

* * * * *
* * * *

Maxims in -ly.

[_MS. Lansdowne 762, fol. 16 b, written as prose.
Printed in _Reliquiæ Antiquæ, v. i. p. 233_.]

Aryse erly,
serue God devowtely
and the worlde besely,
doo thy werk wisely,
yeue thyn{e} almes secretely,
goo by the waye sadly,
answer the people demuerly,
goo to thy mete apetitely,
sit therat discretely,
of thy tunge be not to lib{er}ally,
arise therfrom temp{er}ally,
go to thy supper soberly
and to thy bed merely,
be in thyn Inne iocundely,
please thy loue duely,
and Slepe suerly.

* * * * *
* * * *

Roger Ascham’s Advice

to

Lord Warwick’s Servant.

With the different counsels to babees, pages, and servants, throughout this volume, may be compared Roger Ascham’s advice to his brother-in-law, Mr C. H., when he put him to service with the Earl of Warwick, A.D. 1559. Here follows part of it, from Whitaker’s Hist. of Richmondshire, p. 282.

First and formost, in all your thoughts, words, and deeds, [a]have before your eyes the feare of God..... [b] love and serve your lord willingly, faithfullye, and secretlye; love and live with your fellowes honestly, quiettlye, curteouslye, that noe man have cause either to hate yow for your stubborne frowardnes, or to malice yow for your proud ungentlenes, two faults which co{m}monly yonge men soones[t] fall into in great men’s service. [c] Contemne noe poore man, mocke noe simple man, w{hi}ch proud fooles in cort like and love to doe; find fault with your selfe and with none other, the best waye to live honestlye and quiettly in the court. [d] Carrye noe tales, be noe co{m}mon teller of newes, be not inquisitive of other menn’s talke, for those that are desirous to heare what they need not, co{m}monly be readye to babble what they shold not. [e] Vse not to lye, for that is vnhonest; speake not everye truth, for that is vnneedfull; yea, in tyme and place a harmlesse lye is a greate deale better then a hurtfull truth. [f] Use not dyceing nor carding; the more yow use them the lesse yow wilbe esteemed; the cunninger yow be at them the worse man yow wilbe counted. [g] for pastime, love and learne that w{hi}ch your lord liketh and vseth most, whether itt be rydeing, shooteing, hunting, hawkeing, fishing or any such exercise. Beware of secrett corners and night sitting vp, the two nurses of mischiefe, unthriftines, losse, and sicknes. [h] Beware cheifely of ydlenes, the great pathway that leadeth directly to all evills; be diligent alwayes, be present every where in your lord’s service, [i] be at hand to call others, and be not ofte sent for yourselfe; for marke this as part of your creed, that the good service of one whole yeare shall never gett soe much as the absence of one howre may lose, when your lord shall stand in need of yow to send. if yow consider alwayes that absence and negligence must needes be cause of greife and sorrowe to your selfe, of chideing and rueing to your lord, and that [k] dutye done diligently and presently shall gaine yow profitt, and purchase yow great praise and your lord’s good countenance, yow shall ridd me of care, and wynne your selfe creditt, make me a gladd man, and your aged mother a ioyfull woman, and breed your freinds great comforth. [l] Soe I comitt and co{m}mend yow to God’s mercifull protecc{i}on and good guidance, who long preserve Your ever loving and affectionate brother in lawe.

R. ASKAM.

To my loveing Brother in Lawe, Mr C. H., Servant to the Rt. Ho{n}. the Earle of Warwick, these.

[Sidenotes:
[a] Fear God, [b] serve your lord faithfully, be courteous to your
fellows. [c] Despise no poor man. [d] Carry no tales. [e] Tell no
lies. [f] Don’t play at dice or cards. [g] Take to your lord’s
favourite sport. [h] Beware of idleness. [i] Always be at hand
when you’re wanted. [k] Diligence will get you praise. [l] God
be with you!]

* * * * *
* * * *

Errata (noted by transcriber):

_Booke of Demeanor_:

[Sidenote: [p. 11.]] [p. 1.]

_Bp. Grossetest’s Household Statutes_:

Incipiunt statuta familie bone Memorie do{m}pni
[_{m} damaged or unclear: looks like n with following space_]
T the secunde ys
[_from editor’s Corrigenda:_
_The_ T _of_ T the is used as a paragraph mark in the MS.]

_The Schoole of Vertue_:

ll. 27-40
[Sidenote: ... to our live’s end.”] [_apostrophe unchanged_]
l. 32 and kepe thy co{m}maundmentes;
[_“co{m}maund/mentes” at line break without hyphen_]
l. 55 It dulles the the wyt [_text unchanged_]
l. 40, 48, 82, 976 [_line number missing_]
l. 305
[Sidenote: Grace before meate.]
[_This sidenote is in large type and was in the original book;
the following “Grace before Meat” is in ordinary small type and
was added by the editor._]
ll. 321, 322 [_The absent line is shown as 321._]
l. 1104
[_misprinted 1102, and see Transcriber’s Note at beginning
of selection_]

_Ascham’s Advice_:

in great men’s service [_’ invisible_]

* * * * *
* * * *
* * * * *

The Babees Book,

OR A ‘LYTYL REPORTE’ OF HOW YOUNG PEOPLE SHOULD BEHAVE.

[_MS. Harl._ 5086, _fol._ 86-90; _ab._ 1475 A.D.]

[Transcriber’s Note:

In the printed book, some line numbers were shifted to avoid collision with the pilcrow symbol at the beginning of each seven-line stanza. For this e-text, line numbers have been regularized to multiples of 4.]

++In this tretys the which{e} I thenke to wryte
Out of latyn in-to my comvne langage,
He me supporte (sen I kan nat endyte),
The which{e} only after his owne ymage 4
Fourmyd man-kynde! For alle of tendre age
In curtesye Resseyve shulle document,
And vertues knowe, by this lytil coment.

[Sidenote: My God, support me while I translate this treatise
from Latin. It shall teach those of tender age.]

¶ And Facett seyth{e} the Book of curtesye, 8
Vertues to knowe, thaym forto haue and vse,
Is thing moste heelfull{e} in this worlde trevly.
Therfore in feyth{e} I wole me nat excuse
From this labour ywys, nor hit Refuse; 12
For myn owne lernynge wole I say su{m}me thing
That touchis vertues and curtesye havyng.

[Sidenote: To know and practise virtues is the most profitable
thing in the world.]

¶ But, O yonge Babees, whom{e} bloode Royall{e}
With{e} grace, Feture, and hyh{e} habylite 16
Hath{e} eno{ur}myd, on yow ys that I call{e}
To knowe this Book; for it were grete pyte,
Syn that in yow ys sette sovereyne beaute,
But yf vertue and nurture were with{e} all{e}; 20
To yow therefore I speke in specyall{e},

[Sidenote: Young Babies, adorned with grace, I call on you to
know this book (for Nurture should accompany beauty),]

¶ And nouht{e} to hem of elde that ben{e} experte
In governau{n}ce, nurture, and honeste.
For what nedys to yeve helle peynes smerte, 24
Ioye vnto hevene, or water vnto the see,

[Sidenote: [Fol. 86b.]]

Heete to the Fyre that kan nat but hoote be?
It nedys nouht{e}: therfore, O Babees yynge,
My Book only is made for youre lernynge. 28

[Sidenote: and not on aged men expert therein. Why add pain to
hell, water to the sea, or heat to fire? Babies, my book is for
you only,]

¶ Therfore I pray that no man Reprehende
This lytyl Book, the which{e} for yow I make;
But where defaute ys, latte ylke man amende,
And nouht{e} deme yt; [I] pray thaym for youre sake. 32
For other mede ywys I kepe noon{e} take
But that god wolde this Book myht{e} yche man plese,
And in lernynge vnto yow do{n}ne so{m}me ese.

[Sidenote: and so I hope no one will find fault with it, but
only amend it. The only reward I seek is that my book may please
all and improve you.]

¶ Eke, swete children, yf ther{e} be eny worde 36
That yee ke{n}ne nouht{e}, spyrre whils yee yt ken;
Wha{n}ne yee yt knowe, yee mowe holde yt in horde,
Thus thurh{e} spyrryng yee mowe lerne at wyse men.
Also thenke nouht{e} to st{ra}ungely at my penne, 40
In this metre for yow lyste to procede,
Men vsen yt; therfore on hit take hede.

[Sidenote: If you don’t know any word in it, ask till you do,
and then keep hold of it. And do not wonder at this being in
metre.]

¶ But amonge alle that I thenke of to telle,
My purpos ys first only forto trete 44
How yee Babees in housholde that done duelle
Shulde haue your{e} sylf whe{n}ne yee be sette at mete,
And how yee shulde, whe{n}ne men lyste yow Rehete,
Haue wordes lovly, swete, bleste, and benyngne. 48
In this helpe me O Marie, Modir dyngne!

[Sidenote: I must first describe how you Babies who dwell in
households should behave at meals, and be ready with lovely and
benign words when you are spoken to.]

¶ And eke, O lady myn, Facecia!
My pe{n}ne thow guyde, and helpe vnto me shewe;

[Sidenote: [Fol. 87.]]

For as the firste off alle lettres ys the A, 52
So Artow firste Modir of alle vertue.
Off myn vnku{n}nynge, swete lady, now Rewe;
And thouh{e} vntauht{e} I speke of governau{n}ce,
With{e} thy swete helpe supporte myn ygnorau{n}ce. 56

[Sidenote: Lady Facetia, help me! Thou art the Mother of all
Virtue. Help the ignorance of me untaught!]

++A, Bele Babees, herkne now to my lore!
Whe{n}ne yee entre into yo{ur} lordis place,
Say first, “god spede;” And alle that ben byfore
Yow in this stede, salue with{e} humble Face; 60
Stert nat Rudely; ko{m}me Inne an esy pace;
Holde vp youre heede, and knele but on oone kne
To youre sovereyne or lorde, whedir he be.

[Sidenote: Fair Babies, when you enter your lord’s place, say
“God speed,” and salute all there. Kneel on one knee to your
lord.]

¶ And yf they speke with{e} yow at youre komynge, 64
With{e} stable Eye loke vpon{e} theym Riht{e},
To theyre tales and yeve yee goode herynge
Whils they haue seyde; loke eke with{e} alle yo{ur} myht{e}
Yee Iangle nouht{e}, also caste nouht{e} yo{ur} syht{e} 68
Aboute the hovs, but take to theym entent
With{e} blyth{e} vysage, and spiryt diligent.

[Sidenote: If any speak to you, look straight at them, and listen
well till they have finished; do not chatter or let your eyes
wander about the house.]

¶ Whe{n}ne yee Answere or speke, yee shull{e} be purveyde
What yee shall{e} say / speke eke thing fructuous; 72
On esy wyse latte thy Reson{e} be sayde

[Sidenote: [Fol. 87b.]]

In wordes gentyll{e} and also compendious,
For many wordes ben riht{e} Tedious
To ylke wyseman that shall{e} yeve audience; 76
Thaym to eschewe therfore doo diligence.

[Sidenote: Answer sensibly, shortly, and easily. Many words are
a bore to a wise man.]

¶ Take eke noo seete, but to stonde be yee preste;
Whils forto sytte ye haue in komau{n}dement,
Youre heede, youre hande, yo{ur} feet, holde yee in reste; 80
Nor thurh{e} clowyng, yo{ur} flesshe loke yee nat Rent;
Lene to no poste whils that ye stande present
Byfore yo{ur} lorde, nor handyll{e} ye no thyng
Als for that tyme vnto the hovs touching. 84

[Sidenote: Stand till you are told to sit: keep your head, hands,
and feet quiet: don’t scratch yourself, or lean against a post,
or handle anything near.]

¶ At eu{er}y tyme obeye vnto youre lorde
Whe{n}ne yee answere, ellis stonde yee styl as stone
But yf he speke; loke with{e} oon accorde
That yf yee se ko{m}me Inne eny p{er}sone 88
Better tha{n}ne yee, that yee goo bak anoone
And gyff him place; your{e} bak eke in no way
Turne on no wiht{e}, as ferforth{e} as ye may.

[Sidenote: Bow to your lord when you answer. If any one better
than yourself comes in, retire and give place to him. Turn your
back on no man.]

¶ Yiff that youre lorde also yee se drynkynge, 92
Looke that ye be in riht{e} stable sylence
With{e}-oute lowde lauht{e}re or Iangelynge,
Rovnynge, Iapynge, or other Insolence.
Yiff he komau{n}de also in his presence 96
Yow forto sytte, fulfill{e} his wylle belyve,
And for youre seete, looke nat with{e} other stryve,

[Sidenote: Be silent while your lord drinks, not laughing,
whispering, or joking. If he tells you to sit down, do so at
once.]

¶ Whe{n}ne yee er sette, take noon{e} vnhoneste tale;

[Sidenote: [Fol. 88.]]

Eke forto skorne eschewe with{e} alle yo{ur} myht{e}; 100
Latte ay youre chere be lowly, blyth{e}, and hale,
With{e}-oute chidynge as that yee wolde fyht{e}.
Yiff yee p{er}ceyve also that eny wiht{e}
Lyst yow ko{m}mende that better be tha{n}ne yee, 104
Ryse vp anoon{e}, and thanke him with{e} herte free.

[Sidenote: Then don’t talk dirt, or scorn any one, but be meek
and cheerful. If your better praises you, rise up and thank him
heartily.]

¶ Yif that yee se youre lorde or y{o}ure lady
Touching the housholde speke of eny thinge,
Latt theym alloone, for that is curtesy, 108
And entremete yow nouht{e} of theyre doynge,
But be Ay Redy with{e}-oute feynynge
At hable tyme to done yo{ur} lorde service,
So shall{e} yee gete anoon{e} a name of price. 112

[Sidenote: When your lord or lady is speaking about the household,
don’t you interfere, but be always ready to serve at the proper
time,]

¶ Also to brynge drynke, holde liht{e} wha{n}ne tyme ys,
Or to doo that which{e} ouht{e} forto be done,
Looke yee be preste, for so yee shall{e} ywys
In nurture gete a gentyl name ful sone; 116
And yif ye shulde at god aske yow a bone
Als to the worlde, better in noo degre
Miht{e} yee desire tha{n}ne nurtred forto be.

[Sidenote: to bring drink, hold lights, or anything else, and so
get a good name. The best prayer you can make to God is to be well
mannered.]

¶ Yif that youre lorde his owne coppe lyste co{m}mende 120
To yow to drynke, ryse vp wha{n}ne yee it take,
And resseyve it goodly with{e} booth{e} youre hende;
Of yt also to nõõne other profre ye make,
But vnto him that brouht{e} yt yee hit take 124

[Sidenote: [Fol. 88b.]]

Whe{n}ne yee haue done, for yt in no kyn wyse
Auht{e} comvne be, as techis vs the wyse.

[Sidenote: If your lord offers you his cup, rise up, take it with
both hands, offer it to no one else, but give it back to him that
brought it.]

¶ Now must I telle in shorte, for I muste so,
Youre observau{n}ce that ye shall{e} done at none; 128
Whe{n}ne that ye se youre lorde to mete shall{e} goo,
Be redy to fecche him water sone;
Su{m}me helle[1] water; su{m}me holde to he hath{e} done
The cloth{e} to him; And from him yee nat pace 132
Whils he be sette, and haue herde sayde the grace.

[Sidenote: At Noon, when your lord is ready for dinner, some pour
water on him, some hold the towel for him till he has finished,
and don’t leave till grace is said.]

¶ Byfore him stonde whils he komau{n}de yow sytte,
With{e} clene handes Ay Redy him to serve;
Whe{n}ne yee be sette, yo{ur} knyf with{e} alle yo{ur} wytte 136
Vnto youre sylf both{e} clene and sharpe conserve,
That honestly yee mowe yo{ur} owne mete kerve.
Latte curtesye and sylence with{e} yow duelle,
And foule tales looke noone to other telle. 140

[Sidenote: Stand by your lord till he tells you to sit, then keep
your knife clean and sharp to cut your food. Be silent, and tell
no nasty stories.]

¶ Kutte with{e} yo{ur} knyf yo{ur} brede,
and breke yt nouht{e};
A clene Trenchour byfore yow eke ye lay,
And whe{n}ne yo{ur} potage to yow shall{e} be brouht{e},
Take yow sponys, and soupe by no way, 144
And in youre dysshe leve nat yo{ur} spone, I pray,
Nor on the borde lenynge be yee nat sene,
But from embrowyng the cloth{e} yee kepe clene.

[Sidenote: Cut your bread, don’t break it. Lay a clean trencher
before you, and eat your broth with a spoon, don’t sup it up.
Don’t leave your spoon in your dish. Don’t lean on the table, or
dirty the cloth.]

¶ Oute ou{er}e youre dysshe yo{ur} heede yee nat hynge, 148
And with{e} fulle mouth{e} drynke in no wyse;
Youre nose, yo{ur} teeth{e}, yo{ur} naylles, from pykynge,

[Sidenote: [Fol. 89.]]

Kepe At your mete, for so techis the wyse.
Eke or ye take in youre mouthe, yow avyse, 152
So mekyl mete but that yee riht{e} well{e} mowe
Answere, And speke, whe{n}ne men speke to yow.

[Sidenote: Don’t hang your head over your dish, or eat with a full
mouth, or pick your nose, teeth, and nails, or stuff your mouth so
that you can’t speak.]

¶ Wha{n}ne ye shall{e} drynke,
yo{ur} mouthe clence with{e} A cloth{e};
Youre handes eke that they in no manere 156
Imbrowe the cuppe, for tha{n}ne shull{e} noon{e} be loth{e}
With{e} yow to drynke that ben with{e} yow yfere.
The salte also touche nat in his salere
With{e} nokyns mete, but lay it honestly 160
On youre Trenchoure, for that is curtesy.

[Sidenote: Wipe your mouth when you drink, and don’t dirty the
cup with your hands. Don’t dip your meat in the salt-cellar,]

¶ Youre knyf with{e} mete to yo{ur} mouthe nat bere,
And in youre hande nor holdẽ yee yt no way;
Eke yf to yow be brouht{e} goode metys sere, 164
Luke curteysly of ylke mete yee assay,
And yf yo{ur} dysshe with{e} mete be tane away
And better brouht{e}, curtesye wole certeyne
Yee late yt passe and calle it nat ageyne. 168

[Sidenote: or put your knife in your mouth. Taste every dish
that’s brought to you, and when once your plate is taken away,
don’t ask for it again.]

¶ And yf st{ra}ungers with{e} yow be sette at mete,
And vnto yow goode mete be brouht{e} or sente,
With{e} parte of hit goodely yee theym Rehete,
For yt ys nouht{e} ywys convenyent 172
With{e} yow at mete, wha{n}ne other ben present,
Alle forto holde that vnto yow ys brouht{e},
And as wrecches on other vouchesauf nouht{e}.

[Sidenote: If strangers dine with you, share all good food sent
to you with them. It’s not polite to keep it all to yourself.]

[Sidenote: [Fol. 89b.]]

¶ Kutte nouht{e} youre mete eke as it were Felde men, 176
That to theyre mete haue suche an appetyte
That they ne rekke in what wyse, where ne when,
Nor how vngoodly they on theyre mete twyte;
But, swete children, haue al-wey yo{ur} delyte 180
In curtesye, and in verrey gentylnesse,
And at youre myht{e} eschewe boystousnesse.

[Sidenote: Don’t cut your meat like field labourers, who have
such an appetite they don’t care how they hack their food. Sweet
children, let your delight be courtesy, and eschew rudeness.]

¶ Wha{n}ne chese ys brouht{e}, A Trenchoure ha ye clene
On which{e} with{e} clene knyf [ye] yo{ur} chese mowe kerve; 184
In your fedynge luke goodly yee be sene.
And from Iangelyng yo{ur} tunge al-wey conserve,
For so ywys yee shall{e} a name deserve
Off gentylnesse and of goode governau{n}ce, 188
And in vertue al-wey youre silf avau{n}ce.

[Sidenote: Have a clean trencher and knife for your cheese, and
eat properly. Don’t chatter either, and you shall get a good
repute for gentleness.]

¶ Wha{n}ne that so ys that ende shall{e} kome of mete,
Youre knyffes clene, where they ouht{e} to be,
Luke yee putte vp{pe}; and holde eke yee yo{ur} seete 192
Whils yee haue wasshe, for so wole honeste.
Whe{n}ne yee haue done, looke tha{n}ne goodly that yee
With{e}-oute lauht{e}r{e}, Iapynge, or boystous worde,
Ryse vp{pe}, and goo vnto youre lordis borde, 196

[Sidenote: When the meal is over, clean your knives, and put them
in their places; keep your seats till you’ve washed; then rise up
without laughing or joking, and go to your lord’s table.]

¶ And stonde yee there, and passe yee him nat fro
Whils grace ys sayde and brouht{e} vnto an ende,
Tha{n}ne so{m}me of yow for water owe to goo,
So{m}me holde the clothe, so{m}me poure vpõn his hende. 200

[Sidenote: [Fol. 90.]]

Other service tha{n}ne this I myht{e} comende
To yow to done, but, for the tyme is shorte,
I putte theym nouht{e} in this lytyl Reporte,

[Sidenote: Stand there till grace is said. Then some of you go for
water, some hold the towel, some pour water over his hands. Other
things I shall not put in this little Report,]

¶ But ou{er}e I passe, prayyng with{e} spyrit gladde 204
Of this labour that no wiht{e} me detray,
But where to lytyl ys, latte him more adde,
And whe{n}ne to myche ys, latte him take away;
For thouh{e} I wolde, tyme wole that I no more say; 208
I leve therfore, And this Book I directe
To eu{er}y wiht{e} that lyste yt to correcte.

[Sidenote: but skip over, praying that no one will abuse me for
this work. Let readers add or take away: I address it to every
one who likes to correct it.]

¶ And, swete children, for whos love now I write,
I yow beseche with{e} verrey lovande herte, 212
To knowe this book that yee sette yo{ur} delyte;
And myht{e}full{e} god, that suffred peynes smerte,
In curtesye he make yow so experte,
That thurh{e} yo{ur} nurture and youre governau{n}ce 216
In lastynge blysse yee mowe yo{ur} self auau{n}ce!

[Sidenote: Sweet children, I beseech you know this book, and may
God make you so expert therein that you may attain endless bliss.]

[Footnote 1: _helde_, pour out; A.S. _hyldan_, to incline, bend.]

* * * * *
* * * *

¶ Lerne or be Lewde.

[Sidenote: [Fol. 90b.]]

To Amerous, to Au{n}terous, ne Angre the nat to muche;
To Bolde, ne to Besy, ne Bourde nat to large;
To Curteys, to Cruell{e}, ne Care nat to sore;
To Dulle, ne to Dredefull{e}, ne Drynke nat to offte; 4
To Elenge, to Excellent, ne to Carefulle neythur;
To Fers, ne to Famuler, but Frendely of Chere;
To gladde, ne to Glorious, and Gelousy thow hate;
To Hasty, to Hardy, ne to Hevy in thyn Herte; 8
To Iettyng, ne to Iangelyng, and Iape nat to ofte;
To Kynde, ne to Kepyng, and warr{e} Knavis tacches;
To Loth{e}, ne to Lovyng, ne to Lyberall{e} of goode;
To Medlous, to Mury, but as goode Maner askith{e}; 12
To noyous, ne to Nyce, ne to Newfangyll{e};
To Orped, to Overtwert, and Othes, s{ir}, thow hate;
To Preysyng, to Preve with{e} Prynces and Dukes;
To Queynt, to Querelous, and Queme well{e} thy maistre; 16
To Riotous, to Revelyng, ne Rage nat to muche;
To Strau{n}ge, ne to Steryng, ne Stare nat abroode;
To Toyllous, to Talevys, for Temp{er}au{n}ce it hatith{e};
To Vengable, to Envious, and waste nat to muche; 20
To Wylde, to Wrathefull{e}, and Wade nat to depe;
A Mesurable Mene way ys beste for vs alle;

¶ Yitte. Lerne. or. Be. Lewde.

[Sidenotes:
Don’t be too loving or angry, bold or busy, courteous or cruel
or cowardly, and don’t drink too often, [E] or be too lofty or
anxious, but friendly of cheer. [G] Hate jealousy, be not too
hasty or daring; joke not too oft; ware knaves’ tricks. Don’t
be too grudging or too liberal, too meddling, [N] too particular,
new-fangled, or too daring. Hate oaths and [P] flattery.
[Q] Please well thy master. Don’t be too rackety, [S] or go out
too much. [V] Don’t be too revengeful or wrathful, and wade not
too deep.
The middle path is the best for us all.]

[A Dietary given ‘vnto Kyng Herry v^te’ ‘by Sigismounde, Emp{er}our of Rome,’ follows, leaf 91. The colophon (leaf 98, back) is ‘¶ Thus endith{e} this Dyetarye Compyled And made by Plato and Petrus Lucratus, Grete Philosophers and Astronomers.’]

_A complete copy of the A B C Alliterative Poem of which the foregoing LERNE OR BE LEWDE is a fragment, occurs in the Lambeth MS. 853, and is therefore added here._

* * * * *
* * * *

The A B C of Aristotle.

[_Lambeth _MS. 853_, ab. 1430 A.D., page 30, written without breaks._]

++Who-so wilneþ to be wijs, & worschip desiriþ,
Lerne he oo lettir, & looke on anothir
Of þe .a. b. c. of aristotil: argue not aȝen þat:
It is cou{n}cel for riȝt manye clerkis & knyȝtis a þousand, 4
And eek it myȝte ameende a man ful ofte
For to leerne lore of oo lettir, & his lijf saue;
For to myche of ony þing was neu{er}e holsum.
Reede ofte on þis rolle, & rewle þ{o}u þer aftir; 8
Who-so be greued in his goost, gou{er}ne hi{m} bettir;
Blame he not þe barn þat þis .a. b. c. made,
But wite he his wickid will & his werk aftir;
It schal neu{er}e greue a good man þouȝ þe gilti be meendid. 12
Now herkeneþ & heeriþ how y bigy{n}ne.

[Sidenote: [Page 31.]]

+A+ to amerose, to au{n}terose, ne argue not to myche.
+B+ to bolde, ne to bisi, ne boorde not to large.
+C+ to curteis, to cruel, ne care not to sore.
+D+ to dul, ne to dreedful, ne drinke not to ofte.
+E+ to elenge, ne to excellent, ne to eernesful neiþ{er}.
+F+ to fers, ne to famuler, but freendli of cheere.
+G+ to glad, ne to gloriose, & gelosie þou hate.
+H+ to hasti, ne to hardi, ne to heuy in þine herte.
+I+ to iettynge, ne to iangelinge, ne iape not to ofte.
+K+ to kinde, ne to kepynge, & be waar of knaue tacchis.
+L+ to looth for to leene, ne to liberal of goodis.
+M+ to medelus, ne to myrie, but as mesure wole it meeue.
+N+ to noiose, ne to nyce, ne use no new iettis.
+O+ to orped, ne to ou{er}þwart, & ooþis þou hate.
+P+ to pr{e}sing, ne to p{re}uy w{i}t{h} p{ri}ncis ne w{i}t{h} dukis;

[Sidenote: * Page 32.]

+Q+ to queynte, ne[*] to quarelose, but queeme weel ȝoure souereyns.
+R+ to riotus, to reueling, ne rage not to rudeli.
+S+ to strau{n}ge, ne to stirynge, ne strau{n}geli to stare.
+T+ to toilose, ne to talewijs, for temperau{n}ce is beest.
+V+ to venemose, ne to ve{n}iable, & voide al vilonye.
+W+ to wielde, ne to wraþful, neiþ{er} waaste, ne waade not to depe,

¶ For a mesurable meene is eu{er}e þe beste of alle.

[“Whi is þis world biloued” follows.]

_See two other copies of this _A B C_ in Harl. MS. 541,
fol. 213 and 228._

The copy on fol. 213 has the exordium as prose, thus:

Who so wyll{e} be wyse, and worspyp{pe} to wynne, leerñ he on lettur, and loke vpon an other of the .A. B. C. of Arystotle; nooñ Argument agaynst that. ffor it is counsell{e} for clerk{is} and knyght{is} a thowsand{e}. And also it myght{e} amend{e} a meane man, fulle oft the lernyng of A lettur, and his lyf save. It shal not greve a good man though gylt be amend{e}. rede on this ragment / and rule the theraft{e}r. The copy on fol. 228 has no Introduction.

COLLATION

[Transcriber’s Note:

The following text is repeated from its original location in the Collations and Corrigenda section immediately after the Preface.]

_The A B C of Aristotle_, Harl. MS. 1706, fol. 94, collated by Mr Brock, omits the prologue, and begins after l. 14 with, “Here be-gynneth{e} Arystoles A B C. made be mayster Benett.”